Index device



Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,394

J. H. RAND INDEX DEVICE Filed Ma y 2o. 1924 Archer Jo mes Boston, Mass.

Rustin William Baker Leo For 8c C0 Connors -A 6 L 1 'L J4 7176EKZ71J g,0% fig a 1 06602 11 Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES JAMES H. RAND, or nonrn TONAWANDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNQR, BYMESNEASSIGN- ATENT Ro-FFI vrnn'rs, TO REMINGTON RAND INC., orTONAWANDAQNEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

INDEX DEVICE.

Application filed May 20,1924. Serial No. 714,581.

This invention relates to index devices of the kind in which the indexelements are movably supported in a frame with their margins projectingone beyond the other and consists in the novel features hereinafterdescribed and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig.1 is a fragmentary front elevation of an index comprising removableindex elements constructed in accordance with the present invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, but to greatlyenlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one of the index elements'removed fromthe frame;

Fig. 4 an edge view of the device shown in Fig. 3;

F ig. 5 is a front elevation to smallerscale of an index elementlofmodified form; 3

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionbn the line 66 ofFig.5-; w I m Fig. 7 is afront elevation of anindex element showing a further modification; and

Fig. 8 is an edge view of the device shown in Fig. 7. V

The drawings illustrate an index frame comprising the back 1 preferablyformed of sheet metal having the side flanges 2 and 3 whiclrfurnishmarginal guide channels for the removable index elements.

Each index element comprises a card 4 having laterally projecting earsor lugs 5 and 6 adjacent to its lower margin as shown. The card may alsobe notched at the lower corners to facilitate movementthereof in theguide channels. but such notches are not necessary to the operation ofthe invention. In any event the lateral ears or lugs 5 and 6 shouldproject from the lower portion of the lateral edges of the card, i. e.near or adjacent to the lower longitudinal edge. The upper and loweredges of the card are bent or flanged forwardly at 9 and 10 respectivelyto provide channels for the margins of an index slip or leaf S.

The card shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is folded intermediate its upper andlower margins to provide the rearwardly directed substantially rigid rib11. Preferably this rib extends from one lateral margin of the card tothe other substantially parallel to the lower edge of the card. I

Figs. 5and 6 illustrate-a modified form of index element comprising acard 4 fur-- nished with upper and lower pairs of' laterally projectingears 5 and 6*, 7 and 8 re material rearwardly, the several projections Fpreferablybelng arranged in the same hori= zontal plane. I

A further modification is illustrated in 1* 1g. 7. thecard 4" beingprovided with a rib upon its rear surface consisting of a length of wireoiicord 13 held inplace hy-a binder strip 14 secured to the card byadhesive.

A series of index elements; whether of one,

or another of the above described forms,'are

arranged in the frame with their lower tabs 5 and 6disposed behind theside flangesB and 2 respectively of the frame and with their uppertabs 7-and8, if they areoprovided with the latter, engaging the front faces ofthe flanges.

The cards are so stiffened and reinforced by the ribs or otherprojections that they may he made of much thinner and cheaper stock thanis usually employed for similar. pur poses while .possessing suflicientrigidity to prevent them from sagging or buckling during the making ofentries thereon. This stiffness is somewhat increased by the upper andlower marginal flanges although the lat ter are primarily intended toretain the removable indcx slips or leaves S.

The rigid projections upon the back sides of the index elements, Whetherof the form shown in Figs. 4, 6 or 8. also constitute stops to preventthe index elements of the series from slipping downwardly with respectto each other more than the desired amount, holding them with theirupper marginal portions exposed to view and when the cards areunprovided with ears adjacent to their upper margin, as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 3 the ribs or projections engage the back por tion of theframe 1, intermediate the channe 2 and 3, and. thus hold th cards i h soi kill

forwardly and upwardly inclined position desirable for readymanipulation.

lVhile the term card has been employed to designate the main body oftheindex element in the above description, in a generic sense it is tobe understood as indicating a piece of sheet material of any desirablecharacter, such for example as cardboard, sheet metal, celluloid or thelike, which may be formed by bending and cutting to the desired shape.

The index element having the rearwardly projecting rigid rib isparticularly well adapted for use in indexes of the type herein shownwhere the several index elements project upwardly and forwardly from theframe but in certain of its broader aspects it is applicable to othersituations where it is desired that the index element be strengthened orreinforced in a transverse direction;

I-claim:

1. An index device comprising a frame having inwardly directed lateralflanges forming opposed channels, an index element having lateralprojections engaging the respective channels, and a substantially rigidrib outstanding fromv the rear face of the index element and engageablewith the back of the frame, intermediate the flanges to preventtransverse flexure of the index element. 7

2. An index comprising a frame having oppositely directed channels atits lateral edges, an index element having means adjacent to onelongitudinal edge to engage the respective channelsto hold th e elementin the frame, the other longitudinal edge being free to swing forwardlyfrom the frame, and a substantially rigid rib projecting from the rearface of the element intermediate its longitudinaledges and engaging theback of the frame intermediate the channels.

3. An index element of sheet material folded intermediate its margins toprovide an integral outstanding reinforcing rib for supporting the loweredge ofa similar index element.

4. An index element of sheet materialhavpair of laterally extending earsadjacent to opposite margins formed integrally of the samesl1cet,1naterial as the body of the element and arranged to extend underthe flanges of anindex frame anda substantially rigidintegral ribprojecting from one face of the element and extending across the same,substantially from one ear to the other.

Ti. an index element of sheet material having flanges at its upper andlower edges'prm viding channels for the reception of an index slip, anda rearwardly directed fold intermediate said flanges constituting areinforcing rib.'

6. An index element ofsheet material provided with means for, securingan index slip to its front face and a substantially rigid strengtheninrib projecting from its rear face intermediate its upper and lowermargins.

7. An index element of sheet material havingflanges at its upperandlower edges providing channels for holding an index slip upon theforward face of the element, and a rearwardly projecting foldintermediate said flanges andparallel thereto constituting an integralsubstantially rigid reinforcing rib.

Signed by me at Boston, h fassachusetts, this sixteenth day of May 1924.A

JAMES H. RAND.

